The Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District has hired a firm to test for contaminants at one of its middle schools after teachers complained of persistent health issues and students were moved to other classrooms.
Supt. Sandra Lyon said the district is working with the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health to conduct a health survey for staff members and provide informational meetings.
Lyon told The Times preliminary test results indicated mold was discovered in one patch of carpet due to a leaking refrigerator, but otherwise the main building in question was deemed clear.
The district has retained a firm that will plan how to conduct further tests, Lyon said.
“We hear your concerns, we want to make good evidence-based decisions,” she said, “and so we want to retain experts to make sure we’ve given the community information that this is a safe site.”
